DeKalb County Sheriff Melody Maddox has authorized the release of 103 jail inmates on signature bonds, which require the defendant to sign a promise to return to court for trial but does not require a cash deposit, according to a press release.
The releases have been made to be in compliance with a judicial emergency order that was issued on March 18 by the county’s State Court Chief and Senior Judge Wayne M. Purdom. Defendants will be permitted to sign their own bonds for the duration of the judicial emergency declared by the state’s Chief Justice Harold Melton, which is currently in effect until May 13.
The release applies to inmates jailed from March 18 through April 9.
Defendants can sign their own bonds in the amount of existing bond schedules of the Magistrate Court or $2,500, whichever is less, in all misdemeanor cases except:
- Cases in which a bail amount has been set by a judge by written order in an individual case; amendments of such individually set bonds must also be done by written order.
- If a stalking warrant involves family violence; simple battery; simple assault; battery; cruelty to children; violating family violence order; disorderly conduct.
- Second offense in five years DUI; fourth-lifetime offense driving with a suspended license; hit and run; misdemeanor vehicular homicide; attempting to elude; misdemeanor habitual violator.
- If the defendant’s criminal record shows six or more prior convictions for shoplifting.